Sean Bradley of Exotics by Nature paralyzed in accident

StudentoReptile · 07-09-12, 08:17 AM

For those of you who have yet to get wind of this,

Sean Bradley of Exotics by Nature (located in Louisiana) experienced a nasty accident on the 4th of July.

I don't know him personally, but have met him a few times at some local expos. He is definitely one of the "good guys" in the industry, and if you have met him or spoke with him, you can tell he is super passionate about what he does.

[the following posted from TRR]

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He had some temporary memory loss, he does not remember exactly what happened. The story as we have it right now is that Rachel (Sean’s fiancée) was inside the house and Sean was on the back balcony (talking on the phone). We had just had a bad storm blow through and everything was very wet. Sean thinks he must have slipped on the wet boards and fell approximately 12 feet to the ground. The next thing he remembered was waking up on the ground and being in pain. He was able to crawl over to the building and beat on the wall loud enough for Rachel to hear it.

Sean was then transported to University Charity hospital in New Orleans. Once there, they determined that Sean fractured his spine twice, broke his sternum and a few ribs. There were no internal injuries. The doctors have said that Sean will be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. He is preparing for surgery on Friday the 13th. To have his spine fused back together. We do not know how long he will be hospitalized.

For those that don’t know, this is not the first major downfall of the year. Sean and Rachel’s son, Will, was born on Christmas day in 2011. Will passed away on January 4th. It has been a very tough year for Sean and Rachel, and they need all the support that we can provide. Rachel is pregnant again right now, and the baby is definitely one thing that is keeping them going right now.

Sean has many local friends, customers and employees that are helping to take care of his eggs, breeding, collection and hatchlings (Rachel has been coming home in the evenings and taking care of the cats, dogs and iguanas), so they will be able to hold the fort down until the Reptile Expert can return to his collection.

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A ChipIn account for the Sean Bradley Medical Fund is up and open! For those of you in a position to contribute to what are sure to be hefty medical bills, this is the official spot to do it.

Sean is an entrepreneur and small business owner. Like so many others building a dream, he did not have insurance. This burden is going to be heavy, let’s help him lift it.

ChipIn: Sean Bradley Medical Fund

Wildside · 07-09-12, 08:18 AM

Sooo sad

BarelyBreathing · 07-09-12, 08:25 AM

I had heard this, but I haven't heard the details until now. What a freak and tragic thing to occur, especially after the loss of a child. My heart breaks for his family. I will keep him and his family in mind and hope that they can make a recovery from this and have a bright future ahead.

**Aaron_S** · 07-09-12, 10:41 PM

Thanks for posting this! I was just about to.

LISA127 · 07-10-12, 06:06 AM

That is so sad.

shaunyboy · 07-10-12, 12:02 PM

such sad thing to happen,to such a decent human being

my heart goes out to the guy

cheers shaun

Will0W783 · 07-10-12, 12:05 PM

Oh my God, that's awful!!

RobsCornField · 07-16-12, 07:46 AM

If anyone is going to the Daytona show, a group from Cornsnakes.com is doing a raffle in Sean's benefit on Saturday, after the show from 6pm until whenever at the Residence Inn Marriott by the Speedway. There's a dinner catered by Pizzeria Uno, and we will be raffling off live animals as well as dry goods. Please PM or e-mail me for more information if you would like to be involved in the raffle, or would like to make a donation. All are welcome! Not just corn snake enthusiasts!

Lankyrob · 07-16-12, 11:46 AM

This is a good reminder that life can kick you in the balls at any point and not to sweat the small stuff!

I really hope that he is paralysed witout pain receptors as he should then be able to lead a fairly "normal" lifestyle. I often wish that i had actually broken my spine rather than just damaging nerves, ligaments and muscle. I would happily accept a fully wheelchair bound life where i could still be active/work/play sports without living with day to day pain that saps the life and energy out of you.